Ms Sotomayor, 54, an appeal court judge from New York, would be the first Hispanic to take the position. She would replace Justice David Souter, who announced his retirement from the top US court earlier this month. Mr Obama is expected to announce his choice later. Any nominee must be vetted by a Senate committee and confirmed in a Senate vote. If approved, Ms Sotomayor would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the current Supreme Court. She had been widely tipped as a frontrunner in the race to succeed Mr Souter. Bronx background White House officials told the Associated Press that Ms Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any other justice confirmed in the past 70 years. Mr Obama had said he wanted a justice who combined intellect and empathy - the ability to understand the troubles of everyday Americans. Ms Sotomayor was raised on a housing estate in the Bronx - in one of New York City's most deprived areas. She is said to have been inspired by the Perry Mason TV series to become a judge, and was educated at both Princeton and Yale. In 1991, President George H W Bush named her a district judge, and his successor in the White House, President Bill Clinton, nominated her to the circuit court in 1997. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US, and has the authority to strike down any state or federal law it deems unconstitutional. He hopes that this will help him with hispanics in 2012
Well, she sure seems impressive from a personal and professional standpoint. I watched her brief remarks at the White House, and she sure seems like a very genuine, heartwarming and emotive yet composed individual. I do not know much about her judicial philosophy yet but a good start so far i guess. I wish her all the best and hope she gets confirmed, and more important, does not lean far to the right. P.S. She ain't too bad looking for 54 either. She could pass for 40 easily.
Its sad that her legal records and facts on case rulings take a far second place to her Race and Gender. Seems this country has come no where near as far as we would like to think... I'm truly saddened by the media response today to the "historic" decision. Hopefully over her time on the bench (assuming she's confirmed) the fact that she's a woman and "hispanic" become lost behind her legacy as a Judge. That only remains to be seen. Oh, and last time i checked, she was born in America, which makes her AMERICAN! I'm done :smt068
She's been on the short list of democrat and republican presidents over the last several years. She is supremely qualified. Solid pick. I like her.
Well I dont have an extensive record but she has made one very famous case ruling. In 1995 she effective ended the baseball strike by ruling in favor of the players union against the owners.
Judge Sotomayor is extremely well qualified for her position. We live in a nation in which every Supreme Court justice except for Thomas, Marshall, O'Connor and Ginsburg was a white male. While blacks and hispanics have made outstanding contributions to America, racist people worked hard to relegate us to the bottom of the social ladder. I am extremely proud of President Obama for recognizing Judge Sotomayor's outstanding contributions. I am also proud of Bush 41 and Clinton. Today is a great day in American history.
For the record, Justice O'connor was appointed by the Reagan revolution, so throw some props that direction as well. And as for LaydeezmanCris, sorry that you disagreeing with my opinion isn't enough to warrant consideration for a kick/ban. This is a message board, open for debate, not a die-hard liberal board, where any thought other than progressive liberal agenda gets deleted. :smt038
President Obama has set the perfect trap for the Republicans. It's not this only pick, but the next one of two as well.
That shows what you know about me. I have NEVER, i repeat, NEVER voted for a Republican in my ENTIRE LIFE. I consider myself more of a libertarian, which lies somewhere between hard left liberal and conservative, for the record. I don't find myself sympathetic to the republican cause very much. I would have voted for Mccain over Hilary Clinton though if it had come down to those 2. McCain is an American hero that has spent his entire life fighting for american rights, and i'll respect that till the day i'm dead for any person who commits his life to america the way he has. P.S. I also love guns! I'd join the NRA any day!!! Long live the right to bear arms!!!! :smt070
